Splash pads reopen to help deal with heat
As the heat continues its hold on central Ohio this weekend, people in the Columbus area still have a few options to stay cool, whether it’s running through splash pads that the city has reopened due to expected high temperatures or hitting the local library.
The highs for Saturday and Sunday are predicted to hit 90 degrees, with a heat index of 96 degrees, said meteorologist Andy Hatzos, of the National Weather Service office in Wilmington.
With the heat also comes chances of showers and thunderstorms. Hatzos said there are chances for rain all weekend, with a 30% chance on Saturday and 50% chance on Sunday.
“As it’s been for the past few days, there will be some chance some of the storms could produce heavy rain and perhaps some localized flooding,” he said.
The forecast is on trend for the month of August, which has been hot and wet. The Far East Side of Columbus, along with places like Reynoldsburg, Gahanna and Jefferson
Township in Franklin County experienced strong storms last week that resulted in flash flooding.
Meanwhile, five days have reached a high of 90 degrees or above this month. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were a three-day stretch of 90-degree weather, Hatzos said, and the same could happen this weekend.
However, by next week temperatures will begin to cool down. Monday’s high is expected to be near 86 degrees, with Tuesday’s high near 81.
For those who do not have access to air conditioning, recreation centers and libraries continue to be great options to get relief from the heat.
Even though city pools closed on Sunday, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department has reopened its four splash pads at Barnett, Blackburn, Linden and Scioto Southland recreation centers. The “spraygrounds” are open 12-5 p.m. Saturday.
In addition, all rec centers are open weekdays until 6 p.m. They are closed on weekends.
The city considered extending the pool season, “but a lot of the staff are back in school,” said spokeswoman Kerry Francis.
Another alternative are the splash pads at Bicentennial and North Bank parks. Both parks are open from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily.
Libraries also welcome the heatweary to use branch libraries, even though Columbus Metropolitan Library officials are cautious of the growing concerns about COVID-19 and delta variant transmission.
“We’ve been especially cautious about inviting large groups inside,” said Ben Zenitsky, library spokesman.
All library staff are required to wear masks. The public is strongly encouraged to wear them in the building and masks will be provided.
Another way people have been beating the heat this week is by using fans to keep themselves and their homes cool.
Social services organization Lifecare Alliance had its Beat the Heat Fan Campaign event Wednesday, where more than 200 fans were given away, said Anthony Clemente, communications manager.
Held every summer, the campaign gives away free fans to vulnerable populations such as seniors, homebound individuals and those with disabilities.
“We’ve had people tell us that either they don’t have air conditioning or air conditioning doesn’t work at their home,” Clemente said. “But we also hear a lot that people can’t afford to run their air conditioning. A fan is much more-efficient in terms of electricity and so there are people who opt to use a boxed fan instead of air conditioning because it pulls so much electricity.”
So far this summer, Lifecare has distributed 1,800 fans, Clemente said.
“We actually gave out all of the fans that we have in stock, so we are asking people to donate fans to this campaign because it’s entirely donation-driven, and we can only give out fans when we have fans to give out,” he said.
For more information on how to help, visit lifecarealliance.org or call 614-4372870.
As the weather stays warm for the weekend, Columbus Public Health had a few additional tips for staying healthy in hot weather:
h Stay in air conditioning whenever possible. If you do not have an air conditioner, use movie theaters, malls, libraries and other public places that are cool.
h Drink plenty of water. Do not wait until you are thirsty.
h Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine and sugar because they will dehydrate you.
h Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours, and if you are outside, stay in the shade.
h Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat.
h Never leave people or pets in a closed vehicle.
h Check on family members, friends and neighbors. mwalker@dispatch.com @micah_walker701